Mountain bike technology has always had a high turnover rate. Some parts only last a few seasons before they are replaced with more advanced versions. For most riders, it's a familiar cycle of scrapping parts every year as newer designs hit the market. The trash heap of once-coveted parts is overflowing with 9-speed drivetrains, Onza bar ends, 150mm quill stems, square-taper bottom brackets and elastomer-sprung forks. Only a few components have managed to persevere and cement their status as timeless. Thomson's Elite X4 mountain stem, introduced in 2005, is one shining aluminum example.

But Thomson's benchmark status is being challenged this season by a new wave of high-performance stems. Here are a few contenders looking to unseat the reigning champ.

Straight out of Function Junction, British Columbia, Chromag has been designing and locally manufacturing components that stand up to the rigors of riding in B.C. since 2003. Products like the $140 Ranger have earned the company a cult following. Made to be burly and strong, it starts at a respectable 140 grams for the 40mm length. It's also available in 50, 70, 80 and 90mm versions, all with zero rise. And despite its stout profile, it was designed with sensibly rounded corners to keep kneecap lacerations to a minimum. Nearly as important, it comes in black, pewter, red, gold, purple, blue or green.

Part of Crank Brothers' continuously expanding parts portfolio, the $90 Iodine 2 sports a single-action steerer-clamp and a conventional four-bolt face, all held together by Torx bolts. Unlike many CNC'd stems, the Iodine 2 is forged, not milled, from a 7075 alloy. The stem offers 6 degrees of rise and comes in sizes ranging from 65 to 120mm—with your choice of orange or straight-up silver faceplates.

Easton boasts that the Haven all-mountain stem has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than any stem it has ever made. It was developed using all sorts of finite element analysis to eliminate potential stress risers that, Easton says, show up around floating faceplate designs in ultimate failure tests. The result is a refined—yet badass—piece of machined aluminum with a magnesium faceplate. The $100 Haven delivers AM credibility with XC specs—an 85mm stem weighs just 153 grams. It is also available in 55, 70 and 100mm lengths, all with zero rise.

Hope initially entered the stem market just so it could offer a custom faceplate to hold its lights. The lights have fallen by the wayside, but the company is still turning out stems—lots of stems, in fact. CNC machined in Barnoldswick, England, Hope stems are cut from 2014 T6 aluminum and are anodized and laser-etched in silver, black, blue, red, gold and gun-smoke. The $100 XC/AM stem is available in lengths of 50, 70, 90 or 110mm lengths. The XC-oriented 90mm and 110mm versions come in zero-rise or 10-degree while 50 and 70mm "AM" options have a 25-degree rise.

After years of making Lock-On grips, ODI is looking to parlay some of its trusted-brand-name equity into new markets (and more cockpit real estate). It first introduced multi-colored and multi-width handlebar options, and recently developed this $90 Flight Control all-mountain stem. The 172-gram stem (70mm version) is CNC'd from 6061 aluminum and features a beefy, four-bolt faceplate with cut-outs for easy handlebar positioning. The stem is also available in 50 or 90mm lengths, all with 7-degree rise.

Point One Racing operates on the principle that every second counts. While the 70mm Split-Second stem is more likely to be used non-racers, that doesn't mean average riders won't appreciate the unique design. The 139-gram stem is relatively light, seriously stiff and looks damn fine. Its integrated top cap means steerer tubes must be cut precisely, but the design allows riders to enjoy an unmatched strength-to-weight ratio (Point One claims independent tests prove the 50mm Split-Second surpasses all competitors in that area). This $130, American-made stem comes in anodized black and is available now, as is the 50mm version. A 90mm model is due out soon.

Yes, we know, Race Face has closed its doors. But until a few weeks ago, it was gaining momentum, so you can bet there are plenty of products still available. Is the warranty any good? Not likely. But closeout prices? You betcha. Before the company bit the dust, this CNC'd all-mountain stem was shaping up to be one of its most promising new products. Milled from 7075 alloy the $100 Turbine weights just 135 grams in the 90mm size. It's also available (while supplies last!) in 60, 70, 100 and 110mm lengths—each with a 6-degree rise. Act fast to get a piece of mountain bike history.

Last but certainly not least, the $100 Thomson Elite X4 has set the standard for lightweight mountain bike stems since it hit the market in 2005. Thomson's goal was to make a stem lighter and stronger than its existing Elite model, which was made for old 25.4mm diameter handlebars. The X4 hit all the design targets—it accommodates the now standard 31.6-mm diameter clamp, it is stronger than the old 25.4 version, and it weighs 30 grams less. The American-made stem is available in lengths from 70 to 130 millimeters, which weight between 147 and 184 grams. A 173-gram, 50mm model for freeride and DH use is also available. All sizes are come in zero-rise, and the 90 though 130mm sizes are also available in 10-degree rise. Available in any color you want—as long as it's black or silver.

Part of Truvativ's latest lineup revamp, the AKA is positioned as a burly option for true all-mountain applications. One of the few in this roundup offered in a 1.5-inch steerer option, the AKA is forged 7075 aluminum and CNC'd to a fine finish. It is available in ano' black or "sno white," if you're into that sort of thing. It comes in 10mm length increments from 60mm to 110mm, all with a 5-degree rise. This stem is tough, but not heavy, at just 170 grams for the 110mm version. And at an unbelievable $45, the AKA is the value pick of the pack, but doesn't sacrifice performance to get there.

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